Taylor: Variations to 'Adeste Fideles' - Myron Romanul from A Merry Piano Christmas

Raynor Taylor (1747-1825) was born in England and sang at Haendel's funeral in 1759 as a choir boy (it has been reported the he accidentally fell into the composer's grave during the funeral). After relocating to the United States, he became a music teacher, composer and was organist at St. Anne's parish in Annapolis, then later at St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. He also founded of The Musical Society Fund to help needy musicians which still exists today. His Variations to “Adeste Fideles” was probably written in 1803-4 for a Christmas service that he performed in. The original tune was written by John Wade of England, composed in the 1750s and first printed in 1782.